Wednesday, 3 December 2014

IMPALA - Majete Game Park, Malawi

While I was in Africa this year, the Impala was one of the most common and most graceful
of all Africa’s antelopes. Today I am showing you a number of photographs and video I took at Majete Game Park.The IMPALA is a slender, agile creature, it can clear formidable
obstacles and run at speeds faster than 60km/h. They are fleet runners who can
leap up to 10m in length and 3m in height. They use their tremendous speed and
agility to avoid predation, and seemingly for pure enjoyment.

Males are known as rams, while females are referred to
as ewes and have no horns. Male Impalas have Lyre-shaped and ringed horns, up
to 75cm long. The male’s horns can take many years to reach full length, which
is why young animals are unlikely to establish a dominant position and breeding
territory.

Male Impalas produce a scent from a gland on their
foreheads to advertise their status to rivals. When he loses his rank, a male
produces less scent. Males will fight for status and territory throughout the
mating season, using their antlers as weapons.

Impalas decrease their chances of attack when living in
herds. They leap and scatter in all directions when being attacked to confuse
the predator.

Most young Impala are born around mid-day as this is
the safest time to give birth since most of their enemies are resting. Half of
newborn are killed by predators within the first few weeks of life.

Mothers can delay giving birth for a month if the
weather conditions are harsh, such as during the wet season. The sex ratio
among impala is weighed in favour of the female, with twice as many females
born each year.

As they also must drink every day and knowing that
predators, such as the lion, frequently lie in wait around waterholes at dusk,
they often drink during the hottest part of the day. At this time, the
predators are at their most sluggish.

The Impala is rarely seen on its own. Females and young
animals form herds of up to 100 individuals, while males live in a bachelor
group of about 60 animals. They occupy a large range and make seasonal
migrations from high to lower ground according to the availability of suitable
food.

Predators include lions, leopards and cheetahs. Like
other antelope, the impala is constantly alert to danger and has extremely
acute senses of hearing, sight and smell. They can release a scent from their
glands on their heels, which can help them stay together. This is done by
performing a high kick of their hind legs.

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About Me

I have retired from a medical background, from teaching a 3 year City and Guilds; and also running a Bed and Breakfast. I have taken up bird watching later in life however I became very enthusiastic from the beginning and was greatly encouraged by other bird watchers. For the past 8 years I have led a bird group in my town and have become a guest speaker on cruise shipstalking about Birds around the world. I have travelled quite a bit,in particular to Australia where one of my daughters lives. I have now as many birding friends there as at home in Northern Ireland. I love Nature and being able to share that with others of like mind. I also like photography and do my best to photograph birds although I sometimes get a bit frustrated as my zoom is just not powerful enough.

My daughter and family that were in Australia have now moved to Malawi to work and I have visited them several times as well as visiting Zambia. I.live in Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and it is a beautiful place to live however I love travelling and wil continnue to travel aslong as I am able. I would love to go to visit bloggers that I follow and they are always very welcome here in N. Ireland.